How Technology is Shaping Golf
Operating a golf course used to be all about the experience - the condition of the green, pace of play, customer service. And revenue was impacted by things like the weather and holidays.
Technology was there, but mostly in the background.
Now that the world has gone digital, things have changed.
Today’s golf experience runs largely on digital systems. The tee time booking. The pro shop sale. The cart rental.
Around 57% of golfers book tee times on their phones, and more than half check course reviews before booking in the first place.
Which means your course’s first impression happens long before a new guest steps onto the first tee. If the Wi-Fi is spotty or the booking system crashed, you’ve already soured your reputation.
The business side of golf is changing fast.
By The Numbers
Participation has grown roughly 41% since 2019 and is now nearing 50 million participants.
That growth is putting more pressure on courses to deliver smoother operations and better digital experiences.
At the same time, technology supporting golf operations is becoming a major market. The global golf management software market was valued at $1.8 billion in 2025 and should reach $4.1 billion by 2034.
Tech Behind Modern Golf Courses
The systems running behind best-in-class golf courses today include lots of moving pieces, that require expertise, support, and sometimes hardware to operate smoothly. They include:
Booking and tee time management
Dining reservation systems
Event management systems
Security cameras
Door alarms and pool alarms
Door access systems
Irrigation systems
POS systems
Wi-Fi, oftentimes across multiple buildings and for outdoor spaces
Cybersecurity and data protection
Membership management platforms
Phone systems that ensure efficient and pleasant caller experiences
Cybersecurity to ensure member records are kept confidential
As you can see, golf courses depend on a substantial amount of technology to operate well. All of these systems need to work together, preferably quietly in the background, to ensure pleasant guest experiences and peak staff performance.
Get Up to Par with Coastline
As a golf operator, you want to help your team focus on the guest experience, not troubleshooting Wi-Fi issues or worrying about whether the POS will work during the holiday weekend. There’s also real revenue left behind when systems are slow, disconnected, and unreliable.
It’s important to work with a technology partner who understands the realities of hospitality and golf operations. The key is treating IT as part of your operation, not an afterthought. With the guidance of Coastline Technologies, you can reduce risk and deliver a smoother, more secure experience for golfers from booking to the 18th hole.
Start a conversation with Coastline today, to gauge where your course stands.
Sources
1. Golfn, Golf Consumer Demographics & Spending Data [2026], February 2026
2. GolfNow for Business, 4 Surprising Golf Statistics All Facility Owners Should Know in 2024, https://golfnowbusiness.com/blog/4-surprising-golf-statistics-all-facility-owners-should-know-in-2024/, accessed May 2025
3. National Golf Foundation, Golf’s Growth Era – The Road to 50 Million Golfers, March 2026
4. Market Intelo, Golf Management Software Market, May 2026
6. Golf Business Monitor, How Can the Golf Industry Harness the Power of AI Technology to Succeed?, February 2024